Mark with Japanese Mark: 加藤重光 "Katou Shigemitsu" | #458040

加藤重光 "Katou Shigemitsu". This mark is from a tsuba and was made by Shigemitsu, who worked as a sword engraver (soukenkinkou) in Mutsu Province (present-day Fukushima Prefecture). Soukenkinkou is the Japanese name for metalworkers who design accessories for bladed weapons. A tsuba is a sword guard designed to protect the hand from contact with the blade. It also balances the weight of the sword.